--- title: Magadha Kingdom author: Anindita Basu source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 2024-03-28 --- # Magadha Kingdom _Authored by [Anindita Basu](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ab.techwriter/)_ Magadha was an ancient kingdom located on the Indo-Gangetic plains in eastern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) and spread over what is today the modern state of Bihar. At the height of its power, it claimed suzerainty over the entire eastern part of the country (roughly the area of [England](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/england/)) and ruled from its capital at Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar). In 326 BCE, when [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) was camped at the river Beas on the westernmost part on India, his army mutinied; they refused to march further east. They had heard about the great Magadha kingdom and were unnerved by stories of its might. Unwillingly, [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) turned back (and was to die *en route*). But this was not the first time that the might of Magadha had forced kings westwards. One of the earliest references to Magadha is in the epic *[Mahabharata](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mahabharata/)*, where we see the entire Yadava clan abandoning their homeland on the Gangetic plains to migrate south-westwards towards the desert-ocean land to avoid constant battles with their eastern neighbour, Magadha. ### Ancient Magadha, & Jarasandha The Magadha kingdom did not seem to have been liked by the vedic people. In the Atharva [Veda](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Vedas/), a charm against virulent fever speaks somewhat sarcastically of banishing the fever to the people of Magadha, *inter alia*. > गंधारिभ्यो मूजवद्भ्यो अड़ेभ्यो मगधेभ्यः ॥ प्रैष्यन्जनमिव शेवधि तक्मानं परि दध्मसि ॥ > Over to the Gandharis, the Magavants, the Angas, and the Magadhas, do we deliver the fever, like a servant, like a treasure. *\[Atharva Veda, V.22.14\]* In the *Mahabharata*, Magadha is the mightiest kingdom in the country, stronger even than the Kurus (of whom the epic is all about). Magadha controlled the entire eastern part of the country through alliances with smaller vassal states. It was constantly at [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) with its western neighbours, the Yadavas of Mathura, who ultimately migrated far west to the sea coast near the Rann of Kutch (modern Gujarat) because they could no longer afford the resources needed to protect their kingdom from the regular onslaughts of the Magadha king, Jarasandha. This flight meant that Magadha's borders extended right up to the Kuru-Panchal kingdoms, where lived the [Pandavas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pandavas/) and the [Kauravas](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kauravas/). Jarasandha had powerful allies around his main kingdom: to the southwest was the vassal state of Chedi (to the south of which was another ally, Vidarbha), to the east were the allies of Anga and Vanga, and further east was the friendly country of Pragjyotishpur (modern Assam), ruled by a demon whose borders extended right up to [China](https://www.worldhistory.org/china/). This entire stretch of land looked to Jarasandha as their overlord. The capital of Magadha was Girivraja (modern Rajgir, Bihar). This [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) was surrounded by rings of mountains and was, therefore, difficult to lay siege to. Jarasandha had imprisoned 99 minor kings, and had intended to offer a big human sacrifice after the 100th king was captured but, before he could do so, he was defeated in a wrestling match by the Pandava Bheema, and ripped apart into two. Jarasandha's son was placed on the throne but was later to die fighting for the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war. [ ![The Kurukshetra War](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5530.jpg?v=1766031972) The Kurukshetra War Unknown Artist (Public Domain) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5530/the-kurukshetra-war/ "The Kurukshetra War")After the Kurukshetra war, the power of Magadha seems to have diminished somewhat because there are references to it being annexed by a south-western neighbour, Avanti. It continued to be an important kingdom, however, and was counted among the 16 principal states of ancient India. ### Magadha at the Time of the [Buddha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Siddhartha_Gautama/) At around the time that Gautama Siddhartha became the Buddha, Magadha was a flourishing kingdom under its king [Bimbisara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bimbisara/). Under Bimbisara, Magadha annexed the neighbouring eastern kingdoms, and made marriage aliances with the ones in the west and north. He was friends with another neighbour, Avanti, to whose king he sent his own physician when the Avanti king was ill. The country was ruled by the king with help from three classes of officials: the executive, the judiciary, and the military. It was during Bimbisara's rule that Gautama Siddhartha, the heir-prince of a country north of Magadha, came there wandering, seeking the eternal truth, and attained enlightenment at Bodhi [Gaya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Gaya/) to become the Buddha. Bimbisara was succeeded by his son [Ajatashatru](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ajatashatru/), who shifted the capital of Magadha from Girivraja to Pataliputra (modern Patna, Bihar). Ever since, Pataliputra has remained the capital of that province, down to this day. Ajatashatru also expanded his father's territories considerably; he annexed Kosala, the Lichchhavi republic, Kashi, and Avanti. Some of these kingdoms were related to him by blood but Ajatashatru is generally depicted as a cruel person not given to family niceties (he had deposed and imprisoned his father to ascend the throne). The [battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) with the Lichchhavi republic was a long-drawn out affair, and we have descriptions of some of the military innovations that Ajatashatru implemented: one was a catapult that could throw heavy stones a great distance (*mahashilakantaka*), and another was a self-propelling, covered [chariot](https://www.worldhistory.org/chariot/) that had rotating spears and blades attached to its wheels (*rathamushal*). An interesting fallout of the Magadha-Lichchhavi war was the affair of Ajatashatru with the Lichchhavi state courtesan Amrapali. The destruction of the Lichchhavi lands by Magadha so pained Amrapali that she became a [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) nun; her son by Ajatashatru went on to become a Buddhist monk. Ajatashatru was against the Buddha to begin with but became a friend later. When the Buddha died and his remains were distributed among his disciples, a major share fell to Ajatashatru who was the most powerful king of that period. He enshrined the relics inside a [stupa](https://www.worldhistory.org/stupa/) at Girivraja. Later, he hosted the first ever council of Buddhist monks, when about 500 of them congregated at the Magadha capital for the Great Council. [ ![Remains of Ajatashatru's stupa](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/750x750/5671.jpg?v=1641318302) Remains of Ajatashatru's stupa Anandajoti (CC BY) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5671/remains-of-ajatashatrus-stupa/ "Remains of Ajatashatru's stupa")There are conflicting reports about the successors of Ajatashatru but about 50 years after his [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/), the people of Magadha deposed the hereditory king and elected a minister named Shishunaga to the throne. Shishunaga was succeeded by his son, during whose reign the Second Buddhist Council was held in Magadha. The last king of the [Shishunaga Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shishunaga_Dynasty/) was killed in a [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) conspiracy and was succeeded by Mahapadma Nanda. ### The Nandas The origins of the Nandas is obscure; however, all of the texts of that period agree that Mahapadma Nanda, the kingslayer, was of low birth and a paramour to one of the queens. He reconquered all of the lands that Magadha had lost under Ajatashatru's successors, and extended the kingdom to right inside the Deccan plateau of India. By the time that Alexander had invaded the western frontiers of India, the Nanda Dynasty had expanded Magadha to the Gangetic seacoast in the east and to the Punjab in the west. Thus, if Alexander were to march any further east, he would have had have to reckon with a mighty kingdom having the full resources of the entire northern India under its control; Magadha's army consisted of 20,000 cavalry, 200,000 infantry, 2,000 chariots, and 3,000 elephants. Alexander's army mutinied; they refused to fight an army that formidable. [ ![Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Coin of Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/5437.jpg?v=1645368301) Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Coin of Alexandria PHGCOM (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/5437/alexander-the-great-ptolemaic-coin-of-alexandria/ "Alexander the Great, Ptolemaic Coin of Alexandria")### The Fall of Magadha Despite the extreme wealth and the military might of Magadha, its king was hugely unpopular on account of his cruelty and the high rates of taxation he imposed on the populace. The Buddhist texts of the period say that the king was given to digging up the riverbed of the [Ganges](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ganges/) and burying his [gold](https://www.worldhistory.org/gold/) there. So enduring were stories of the fabulous wealth of the Nandas that Hieun Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim touring the country in the 7th century CE, almost 600 years later, makes a reference to it. After Alexander left for [Greece](https://www.worldhistory.org/greece/), the departure created a power vacuum in western India. [Chandragupta Maurya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chandragupta_Maurya/) stepped into this vaccuum, subjugated these kingdoms, and then entered Pataliputra and killed the Nanda king. The details of this overthrow are unclear but it is assumed that [Chandragupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chandragupta_Maurya/) Maurya had the support of the populace and the palace. The mighty Magadha kingdom had given way to a kingdom even more powerful: the [Mauryan Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mauryan_Empire/). #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Majumdar, R.C. *The History and Culture of the Indian People.* Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, 2016.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/B007WT65G0/) ## About the Author Anindita is a technical writer and editor. Her off-work interests include Indology, data visualisation, and etymology. - [X/Twitter Profile](https://twitter.com/anindita_basu) - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com//in/aninditabasu) ## Timeline - **544 BCE - 492 BCE**: [Bimbisara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bimbisara/) rules the [Magadha kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) in [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). - **543 BCE - 492 BCE**: King [Bimbisara](https://www.worldhistory.org/Bimbisara/) begins [Magadha kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/)'s conquests by annexing the kingdom of Anga in eastern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). - **492 BCE - 460 BCE**: [Ajatashatru](https://www.worldhistory.org/Ajatashatru/) rules the [Magadha Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) in [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). - **414 BCE - 396 BCE**: The [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) king Shishunaga annexes the kingdom of Avanti, ending the dynastic rule of the Pradyotas. - **413 BCE - 345 BCE**: The [Shishunaga Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shishunaga_Dynasty/) rules the [Magadha Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/). - **413 BCE - 345 BCE**: The [Shishunaga Dynasty](https://www.worldhistory.org/Shishunaga_Dynasty/) rules the [Magadha Kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/). - **c. 400 BCE**: First [Buddhist](https://www.worldhistory.org/buddhism/) Council at Rajgir, Bihar, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/); teachings and monastic discipline agreed to and codified. - **c. 346 BCE - c. 324 BCE**: [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/)'s king Mahapadma Nanda makes massive conquests in north and eastern [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) including Kosala. - **Sep 326 BCE**: [Alexander the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/Alexander_the_Great/) halts his eastward march and turns back from the banks of the river Beas, Punjab, [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/). - **321 BCE**: Dhana Nanda, king of [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/), is killed by [Chandragupta Maurya](https://www.worldhistory.org/Chandragupta_Maurya/). - **133 BCE - 123 BCE**: [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) king Vasumitra defeats the Indo-Greeks at the banks of the Indus. - **c. 335 CE - c. 380 CE**: Regarded as the "Indian [Napoleon](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Napoleon/)", the [Gupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/gupta/) emperor [Samudragupta](https://www.worldhistory.org/Samudragupta/), ruling from [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/), subdues kings in nearly all corners of [India](https://www.worldhistory.org/india/) and annexes kingdoms adjacent to Magadha. - **510 CE - 540 CE**: The [Huns](https://www.worldhistory.org/Huns/) are defeated by King Baladitya of [Magadha](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) and later by King Yashodharman of Malwa. ## Cite This Work ### APA Basu, A. (2016, September 16). Magadha Kingdom. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha\_Kingdom/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/) ### Chicago Basu, Anindita. "Magadha Kingdom." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 16, 2016. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha\_Kingdom/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/). ### MLA Basu, Anindita. "Magadha Kingdom." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Sep 2016, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha\_Kingdom/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magadha_Kingdom/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Anindita Basu](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/ab.techwriter/ "User Page: Anindita Basu"), published on 16 September 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). 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